Flip a coin in Flint
They do not have a clear-cut no. 1 goalie yet the Flint Firebirds have managed to move five games above the .500 mark and in firm possession of a playoff spot in the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.
With 57 points from a record of 26-21-5, Flint has edged past the Sarnia Sting into seventh spot in the wicked Western world and opened up a nine-point lead on the ninth-place Saginaw Spirit for the eighth-and-final playoff spot.
As goalies Connor Hicks and Garrett Forrest have both had stretches of multiple starts in succession, they have similar numbers.
Hicks, in his third OHL season — and first in Flint — has a 15-10-2 record, 3.16 goals against average and .882 save percentage.
Forrest, in his rookie OHL season — but with the same 1997 birth year as Hicks — has a 10-10-3 record, 3.27 goals against average and .892 save percentage.
Formerly of the Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Forrest has carried the hot hand of late, starting five of Flint’s last six games and posting a record of 4-0-1.
Hicks, in his only start during the Firebirds past six games, picked up the victory.
If there is a quirk to the time the two have spent in the Flint net it’s that while Hicks has played 255 more minutes than Forrest, he has faced only 36 more shots during that span.
Who’s the no. 1 goalie in Flint?
Flip a coin.
As a keen Battalion fan, I get a feeling that I speak for many others, if I dare say North Bay must be somewhat disappointed in Moran’s play up until now. I think better-than-adequate play is expected from overage selections. Garrett Forrest is eligible for another season, is progressing really well with Flint, and was there for the Battalion to sign from the Powassan Voodoos roster. This is just an opinion, but maybe some food for thought. (If I err on any of this – let me know.)
Larry B,
North Bay did trade Garrett Forrest and a fourth-round pick to Flint for Brent Moran.
Regards,
RR
Any goalie in North bay right now would have bad number Moran has kept the team in a lot of games we have arguably bottom pairing D men playing in a top two role right now, I don’t blame the goalies at all.
Perhaps we got too used to the stellar performances we came to expect from Jake Smith. Also, there can be no doubting the toll that injuries have taken on this season’s Battalion. Where do you think we’ll find ourselves next season, as far as goaltending is concerned? And will someone step up and be the sniper and natural leader who inspires teammates and fans alike? As much as this edition has been rather disappointing, I expect next season to be very interesting indeed.